A Note from Department Vice Chair for Diversity & Inclusion
Omonele Nwokolo, MD, FASA
The last few months have been a challenging time for our country and society as a whole. COVID-19 has devastated lives across the globe. This pandemic has disproportionately affected the African American communities, highlighting the chronic problems of healthcare disparities in medicine. In addition, there continues to be an undercurrent of racism leading to loss of African American lives at an alarming rate. This has to stop.
The American College of Physicians states “Hate crimes directed against individuals based on their race, ethnic origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, nationality, primary language, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, cultural background, age, disability, or religion are a public health issue.”
We at the Department of Anesthesiology, McGovern Medical School, stand as healthcare providers with our community against racism and injustice. We are determined to learn and teach about healthcare disparities and bias. We reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusivity and lack of tolerance to racism and hatred.
Yesterday we stood with other physicians, scientists, and students to support these ideals.
Omonele O Nwokolo MD, FASA
Associate Professor
Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion
Department of Anesthesiology
